Electrode holder



April 8, 1947. M. WELLS ELECTRODE HOLDER 'Filed Feb. 5, 1945 MARTIN WELLS,

Gttotneg. l

Patented Apr. 8, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

My invention relates in general to the art of electric welding, and relates in particular to an improvement in electrode holders for holding the welding rod used to produce the welding arc and which melts in the presence of the arc and is deposited on the work so as to be incorporated in the weld. y

It is an object of the invention to provide a completely insulated electrode holder which is of slender form and light weight, and is so constructed that parts thereof which are subjected to severe wear may be readily replaced without the use of special tools. A further object of the invention is to provide an eelctrode holder having a handle from which projects a relatively slender substantially cylindric metal body equipped with means to grip an electrode or welding rod, and to provide on this metal body a separate insulator which may be readily installed in operative position by merely sliding it into place, there being means operative between the body and the insulator to hold the insulator in place on the body.

A further objectof the invention is to provide an electrode holder having a replaceable tubular insulator reinforced by metal strengthening means, and having means for holding the insulator on the metal body.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of an insulator which is very durable and therefore will not be broken as the result of striking the same against a solid object, or as the result of the electrode holder being dropped so as to strike the oor with considerable force. However, due to the location thereof on the electrede holder, the insulator is subjected to severe conditions of wear, with the result that replacement thereof is periodically required.

A further feature of the invention is that the electrode holder may be kept in service over long periods of time, since it is not necessary to discard the electrode holder when the insulator becomes worn, but the electrode holder may be readily repaired by the simple replacement of the worn insulator with a new one.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple replacement insulator which may be readily applied to the body of the electrode holder, this insulator having a relatively small opening extending in from the rear end thereof into the tubular wall of insulating material from which the insulator is formed, in substantially parallel relation to the axis of the insulator, one wall of this small opening comprising or being formed of a latch means which is secured in position 2 within the insulator during the process of molding the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cooperation of an electrode holder body with an insulator, wherein the insulator is tted loosely upon the metal body or projecting part of the holder so that movement is provided between the insulator and the metal body to break loose materials which tend to accumulate in the joint or at the point of juncture between the metal body of the electrode and the insulator, where the rod opening extends through these parts, thereby minimizing the tendency toward arcing at this point, which often occurs as the result of carbonizing of the insulating material around the opening of the insulator through which the rod passes,

and the accumulation of metal particles, which will carry the electric current or arc from the exterior to the interior of the electrode holder, with resultant injury to the internal metal parts vof the electrode holder.

not be freely turned and many times freezing the screw tight so that it cannot be turned at all without the use of tools. An important object .,of my invention' is to provide in an electrode holder of this general character a simple means for guarding the screw threads of the clamping means against entry of materials which might become lodged in the internal threads of the bronze body of the electrode holder, and prevent a proper operation of the clamping screw means therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrode holder of the character referred to -in the preceding paragraph having a clamping screw with a projecting cylindric hardened pin, and a hardened metal sleeve in the body of the electrode holder through which the hardened pin of the clamping screw projects, in such close fitting, but freely turnable relation, that abrasive or other materials which enter the body of the electrode holder through the lateral welding rod opening are prevented from getting to the screw ythreads in such form that these materials will interfere with the satisfactory rotation of the threaded pin in the internal threads of the body.

A further object is to provide an electrode holder of the character set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein a chamber is provided between the hardened metal sleeve and the internal threads of the body to receive such ne materials as may pass through the opening of the hardened metal sleeve, and a further object of the invention is to so provide a cooperation between the threaded portion of the clamping screw and the internal threads of the body that the external threads of the clamping screw are at all times in projecting relation to the end of the threads formed in the body, the purpose of this arrangement being to keep the internal threads ofthe body, which is normally made from bronze, covered by the external threads of the clamping screw, whereby a free entry of abrasive materials into the internal threads of the body is prevented.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple method of installing the guard sleeve within the axial opening of the holder body.

It is an object of the invention to provide a welding rod holder comprising a metal head having means to grip a rod and actuating means for the rod gripping element of the head, this actuating means including a metal body extending rearwardly from the head to which the electric cable has attachment, there being an insulated handle slidable upon the rearwardly ext-endinfT metal body so as to enclose the same, the slidability of the handle enabling its movement at all times into engagement with the rear end of the head of the holder so that there will be no gap between the head of the holder and the handle, in which the underlying metal parts will be exposed to the exterior.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple cooperative relation between the insulated handle and the metal parts which extend rearwardly from the body of the holder, whereby the insulated handle will be maintained in proper position, but may be adjusted axially without any need for tools to make this adjustment and without the need for clamping screws or cams projecting through the holder, or holes through the handle, to accomplish holding of the handle in a selected position of adjustment relatively to the electrode holder body.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought outl in the following part of the specification.

Referring to the drawing which is for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross section taken as indicated by the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevational View of the reticulated reinforcing element for the insulator shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view through 4 metal part of the device which enters the handle.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the handle retaining spring.

The electrode holder shown in Fig. l comprises a handle I0 of insulating material and a head I I which includes a metal body I2 enclosed by insulators 25 and 25a. The body has a rounded front end I3 and is provided near its front end with a lateral opening I4 to receive the end of a welding rod I5. The lateral opening I4 intersects an axial opening I6 which extends to the rear of the body I2. A portion of this axial opening I6 is defined in part by internal threads I'I and Il' which receive the external threads I8 of a clamping screw I9, the forward end of this screw I9 being adapted to engage the welding electrode as shown. The rearward portion 20 of the clamping screw I9 extends from the rear end of the body I2, and is connected to the handle I0 so that by rotation of the handle I0, the clamping screw I9 may be caused to move axially to either clamp or release the welding rod I5.

The body I2 has thereon a longitudinal rib or shoulder 22 which is notched at 23 so as to provide a rearwardly faced shoulder 24. The insulator members 25 and 25a completely enclose the body I2. The insulator 25 is tubular in form and is closed and rounded at its front end so that it will have the form of a cup or cap which fits over the front portion of the body I2 and is slidable thereon from the front end of the body. The insulator member 25a comprises a sleeve of substantially cylindric form which occupies the space between the insulator 25 and the front end of the handle ID. The insulator Z5 is molded from a durable insulating compound, such as Bakelite, for example, and has therein a reinforcing element 2l, of metal, and which is embedded in the material of the insulate-r 25 during the molding thereof. The reinforcing element 21 is of a reticulated character so as to provide many openings through which the insulating material extends.

` As shown in Fig. 3, the reinforcin'T element 2l is formed from a strip of woven mesh wire screen il. his screen strip 3G is bent intermediate its ends so that it will be curved back upon itself, and the transverse wires 3I of the screen 3B are bent to semcircular form, thereby producing of the screen 3U a reinforcing element 2l defining a hollow cylinder having a rounded front end wall 32 to correspond to and lie within the rounded front end wall of the insulator 25.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the insulator- 25 has therein a longitudinal channel 33 to receive the rib 22 of the body I2 and prevent rotation of the insulator 25 on the body I2. Along a portion of the channel 33, the insulator 25 internally carries a spring finger 35 which is adapted to engage the transverse shoulder 24 of the body I2 when the insulator 25 is slid into the position in which it is shown in Fig. l, thereby providing a means of interengagement between the body I2 and the insulator 25 to hold the insulator 25 against removal from the body I2. This insulator 25 may be supplied to the user of the electrode holder as a replacement part. When the insulator 25 which is in use upon the body I2 has become worn or burned to such extent that its replacement is advisable, such insulator may be broken loose from the body I2 by use of a hammer, and the new replacement insulator 25 may be quickly slipped into position on the front end of the body I2, placing the electrode holder in condition for continued use. The insulator 25 has a rod opening I4a in its side Wall aligned with the rod opening I4 of the body I2, and has near its rear end a small opening 59, the purpose of which will be later explained.

As shown in Figs, 1 and 4, an opening 39 extends into the wall of the insulator 25 from its rear end face, one of the walls or margins of this opening 39 comprising the spring finger 36. The spring linger 35 is positioned so that it lies between the opening 39 and the interior space of the insulator 25, and into this opening 39 an instrument may be inserted to bend the forward end of the spring finger 36 into the cavity of the insulator 25 so that when the insulator is ultimately placed upon the body I2, the front end of the spring finger 35 will be in a position for engagement with the shoulder 24. During the molding of the insulator 25, the opening 39 is occupied by a metal bar or pin which assists in maintaining the spring finger 36 in its required position.

As shown in Fig. 4, the spring finger 35 has near its rear end projecting webs or tongues 3l which are embedded in the wall of the insulator 25 during the molding operation. Being disposed at the rear end of the body I2, the insulator 25a is subjected to lower temperatures than the insulator 25. Accordingly, replacement of the insulator 25a is required only at infrequent intervals as compared to the replacement requirements of the insulator 25. This insulator 25o: is reinforced by a screen 2l which is embedded in the insulating material thereof.

In the use of the electrode holder particles of metallic or electroonductive material pass into and through the opening Ma, and the heat encountered in the use of the electrode holder may char the wall of the opening Illa, so that it will become carbonized. A feature of the invention, which I believe constitutes a valuable contribution to the art, consists in the provision of means for preventing bridging of electro-conductive materials across from the insulator 25 to the body I2 at the openings I4 and Illa. To prevent this bridging, I provide a space 4I between the insulator 25 and the body I2 so that the insulator 25 is freely movable on the head I2, a sufcient distance to enable this movement to break down any accumulation of bridging materials which may occur between the adjacent portions of the walls forming the openings I4 and 24a. By so doing, I substantially avoid the possibility of an electric arc being carried through the opening Illa to the metal of the body I2, for the movement of the insulator on the body I2 prevents or breaks such electrical contact as may tend to occur between the carbonized surface of the insulator 25 and the metal of the body l2. In this manner my invention avoids the possibility of destruction of the front end of the body I2 due to an electric arc or current being carried into the interior of the electrode holder by carbonized insulating material or accumulated metal particles, or both.

The rear end 25 of the clamping screw I9 is threaded into a metal part 43 of non-circular cross section. The body I2 has at its rear end a counterbore or cavity 42 which receives electrical connecting means consisting of fingers 44 which extend forwardly from an annular metal body 45 which is threaded onto the clamping screw I9 adjacent the part 43. This part 43 is shown with hexagon cross section, and adapted to slide into a correspondingly shaped axial opening 45 in the handle I9, and the rear end of the part 43 is prepared with an opening to receive the wires 4l of an electric cable 48 which extends out through the rear end of the opening 48 of the handle Ill.

Near its front end, the body 43 has a relatively shallow and axially elongated recess or depression 49 in which a spring member 5D rests. This spring member 5U comprises a strip of spring steel, as shown in Fig.- 9, bent intermediate its ends so as to provide a raised portion or hump 52 and having a tongue 5I bent downwardly from one of its ends so that when it is placed in the recess 49 the tongue 5l will enter a diagonal opening 53 formed in the part 43 at one end of the recess 49, whereby the spring member 50 will be held in the recess`4i9 when the handle I0 is removed from the part 43. When the parts I0, 43 and 5l] are assembled as shown in Fig. 1, the raised middle portion 52 of the spring 56 engages the inner surface of the handle I0 with pressure sufficiently to produce an effective frictional engagement between the handle I Ii and the parts 43 and 5U, to prevent the handle from sliding upon the part 4.3 except when a considerable force is applied, but permitting adjustment of the handle I0 upon the part 43 to bring the front end of the handle I0 into engagement with the rear end of the head II, and in particular, with the rear end of the insulator 25a. It will be understood that the insulators 25 and 25a may be connected together or molded in one piece, if desired.

The clamping screw I9 has at, or extending from, its front end a pin 55, the front end of which engages the welding rod I5. This pin 55 is of round cross section and is hardened. Within the forward part of the body I2, just rearward of the lateral opening I4, a hardened sleeve 56 surrounds the pin 55, and between the rear end of the sleeve 56 and the front end of the internal threads I'I of the body, there is an unthreaded space forming a chamber 5l, which may communicate with the exterior of the head I I through an opening-58 in the body I2 and an opening 59 in the insulator cap 25.

The sleeve or guard wall 56 has a relatively sharp inwardly and forwardly directed shoulder 6I at its forward end in close proximity to the surface of the forward portion of the pin 55, whereby this shoulder will act somewhat as a scraper on the surface of the pin 55 to remove therefrom any adhering substances. The sleeve 56 operates as a barrier between the opening I4 and the threads II to prevent large, hard particles of abrasive character from passing in through the opening I4 to the threads Il to injure the same or lodge between the threads II and the threads I8 of the clamping screw I9.

The very narrow space between the surface of the pin 55 and the sleeve 56 limits the size of v particles which may pass rearwardly along the pin 55. I have found that the use of a guard wall such as shown at 56 effectively protects the threads I'I in which the clamping screw I9 operates. If the external communications 58 and 59 are employed in the lowei` part of the holder as shown in Fig. l, means will be thereby provided for the escape of fine particles from the chamber 51.

The sleeve 56 is externally threaded and is screwed into internal threads I'I provided in the body I2. The sleeve 56 is then fixed in place in the body I2 by forcing an expanding member therethrough. As shown in Fig. 6, the expanding member consists of a steel ball 66 which is forced through the sleeve 56 by means of a push rod 6l, the ball SS dropping out through the opening I4 when it has been forced entirely through the sleeve 55.

I claim as my invention:

i. In electrode holder of the character described, the combination of: a body having a lateral opening to receive a welding rod and an axial opening to receive a clamping screw member, there beine' internal screw threads in said axial opening spaced from said lateral opening, and an annular guard wall between said internal threads and said lateral opening; and a clamping screw member disposed in said axial opening, said member having an externally threaded portion engaging said internal threads and a pin portion projecting through said guard Wall to engage a welding rod which has been placed in said lateral opening, said annular guard wall fitting around said pin relatively closely so as to serve as a barrier to the passage of particles from said lateral opening to the internal threads of said body.

2. In an electrode holder of the character described, the combination of: a body having a lateral opening to receive a welding rod and an axial opening to receive a clamping screw member, there being internal screw therads in said axial opening spaced from said lateral opening, and an annular guard wall between said internal threads and said lateral opening, there being an escape opening leading from a position between said guard wall and said internal threads through the side wall of said body to the exterior thereof; and a clamping screw member disposed in said axial opening, said memer having an externally threaded portion engaging said internal threads and a pin portion projecting through said guard wall to engage a welding rod which has been placed in said lateral opening, said annular guard wall tting around said pin relatively closely so as to serve as a barrier to the passage of particles from said lateral opening to the internal threads or" said body.

3. n an electrode holder of the class described,

the combination of a body having a lateral opening to receive a welding rod and an axial opening to receive a clamping screw member, there being internal threads in said axial opening spaced from said lateral opening; an annular guard wall comprising a sleeve o a material harder than the material of said body threaded into and expanded within said axial opening of said body between said internal opening; and clamping screw member disposed in said axial opening, said member having an externally threaded portion engaging said internal threads and a pin portion projecting through said guard wall to engage a welding rod which has been placed in said lateral opening, said annular guard wall fittirg around said pin relatively closely so as to serve a barrier to the passage of particles from said lateral opening to the internal threads of said body.

Ll. in an electrode holder of the character described, the combination of: a body having a lateral opening to receive a welding rod and an axial opening to receive a clamping screw member, there beinT internal threads in said axial opening spaced from said lateral opening; an annular guard well comprising a sleeve of a material harder than the material of said body threaded into and expanded within said axial opening of said body between said internal threads and threads and said lateral,

said lateral opening; a clamping screw member disposed in said axial opening, said member having a rearward extension, an externally threaded portion engaging said internal threads, and a pin portion projecting through said guard wall to engage a welding rod which has been placed in said lateral opening, said annular guard wall fitting around said pin relatively closely so as to serve as a barrier to the passage of particles from said lateral opening to the internal threads of said body; a tubular insulator on said body, said insulator being loosely tted on. said body so as to have limited movement therein, whereby bridging between said body and said insulator will be prevented; catch means inside said insulator operative between said body and said insulator to hold said insulator on said body; and an insulated handle slidable on said rearward extension into engagement with the rear end of said insulator.

5. A cooperating part oi an electrode holder of the character described, having a body with a lateral opening to receive the end of welding electrode, and an axial opening to receive a clamping screw member having at the iront end thereof to engage the electrode a round pin and spaced from the front end thereof an externally threaded portion, comprising: a metal body with a lateral electrode receiving opening toward the forward end thereof and an axial opening extending rearwardly from said lateral opening to receive said clamping screw member, said axial opening being dened by a guard wall of relatively hard metal which fits relatively closely around said pin so as to form a barrier against the passage rearwardly of particles from said lateral opening, and by an internally threaded wall disposed rearwardly of said guard wall to engage said externally threaded portion of said clamping screw member.

6. A cooperating part of an electrode holder of the character described having a body with a lateral opening to receive the end of a welding electrode and an axial opening to receive a clamping screw member, there being internal screw threads in said axial opening spaced from said lateral opening and an annular guard wall between said internal threads and said lateral opening, comprising: a clamping screw member for disposition in said axial opening, said member having an externally threaded portion to engage said internal threads and a pin portion to project through said guard wall to engage a welding electrode which has been placed in said lateral opening, said pin fitting said guard wall relatively closely so that said guard wall will form a barrier to the movement of particles from said lateral opening to said internal threads of said body.

7. A cooperating part of an electrode holder of the character described, having' a body with a lateral opening to receive the end of a welding electrode, and an axial opening to receive a clamping screw member having at the front end thereof to engage the electrode a round pin and spaced from the front end thereof an externally threaded portion, comprising: a metal body with a lateral electrode receiving opening toward the forward end thereof and axial opening extending rearwardly from said lateral opening to receive said clamping screw member, said axial opening being dened by a guard wall of relatively hard metal which fits relatively closely around said pin so as to form a barrier against the passage rearwardly of particles from said lateral opening, and by an internally threaded wall disposed rearwardly of said guard wall to engage said externally threaded portion of said clamping screw member, said guard wall having a relatively sharp shoulder disposed so that it will act in the relation of a scraper to the surface of said pin.

8. A cooperating part of an electrode holder of the character described, having a body with a lateral opening to receive the end of a welding electrode, and an axial opening to receive clamping means having at the front end thereof to engage the electrode a round pin and operating means to actuate said pin into clamping engagement with the electrode, comprising: a metal body with a lateral electrode receiving opening toward the forward end thereof and an axial opening extending rearwardly from said lateral opening to receive said clamping means, said axial opening being dened by a guard wall of relatively hard metal which fits relatively closely around said pin so as to form a barrier against the passage rearwardly of particles from said lateral opening, and by a wall dening a space rearward of said guard wall to receive said operating means.

9. A cooperating part of an electrode holder of the character described, having a body with a lateral axial opening to receive the end of a welding electrode, and an axial opening to receive clamping means having at the front end thereof to engage the electrode a round pin and operating means to actuate said pin into clamping engagement with the electrode, comprising: a metal body with a lateral electrode receiving opening toward the forward end thereof and an axial opening extending rearwardly from said lateral opening to receive said clamping means, said axial opening being defined by a guard wall of relatively hard metal which ts relatively closely around said pin so as to form a barrier against the passage rearwardly of particles from said lateral opening and by a wall defining a space rearward of said guard wall to receive said operating means, said guard wall having a relatively sharp shoulder disposed so that it will act in the relation of a scraper to the surface of said pin.

10. A cooperating part of an electrode holder of the character described, having a body with a lateral opening to receive the end of a welding electrode, and an axial opening to receive clamping means having at the front end thereof to engage the electrode a round pin and operating means to actuate said pin into clamping engagement with the electrode, comprising: a metal body with a lateral electrode receiving opening toward the forward end thereof and an axial opening extending rearwardly from said lateral opening to receive said clamping means, said axial opening being defined by a guard wall of relatively hard metal which ts relatively closely around said pin so as to form a barrier against the passage rearwardly of particles from said lateral opening, and by a wall defining a space rearward of said guard wall to receive said operating means, said guard wall comprising a sleeve of metal harder than said body xed within said body.

11. In an electrode holder of the character described. the combination of: a head member having means to grip an electric welding electrode, said means including a screw member and a body extending rearwardly from said screw member and said'head member, said head member having also a wall of insulating material thereon forming an annular shoulder at the rear end of said head and said body being prepared for the attachment of an electric cable; a handle of insulating material slidable on said body so as to be moved into engagement with the rear end of said wall of insulating material, said body having a depression in a side face thereof and an opening extending into said body, the outer end of said opening communicating with said depression; and engagement means in said depression to engage an inwardly presented face of said handle and to restrain said handle from movement from positions into which said handle has been adjusted on said body, said engagement means Vcomprising a leaf spring bent intermediate its ends so as to provide a ridge for engagement with said inwardly presented face of said handle, and having a part extending therefrom into said opening so as to hold said engagement means in said depression.

12. In an electrode holder of the character described, the combination of: a head member having means to grip an electric welding electrode, said means including a screw member and a body extending rearwardly from said screw member and said head member, said head member having also a wall of insulating material thereon forming an annular shoulder at the rear end of said head and said body being prepared for the attachment of an electric cable; a handle of insulating material slidable on said body so as to be moved into engagement with the rear end of said wall of insulating material, said body having a depression in a side face thereof and an opening extending into said body at one end of said depression; and engagement means in said depression to engage an inwardly presented face of said handle and to restrain said handle from movement from positions into which said handle has been adjusted on said body, said engagement means comprising a leaf spring bent intermediate its ends so as to provide a ridge for engagement with said inwardly presented face of said handle and having a tongue extending therefrom into said opening so as to hold said engagement means in said depression.

MARTIN WELLS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,329,384 Eckenrode Feb. 3, 1920 2,232,213 Churchward Sept. 18, 1941 2,309,886 Collins Feb. 2, 1943 2,322,077 Wells June 15, 1943 2,343,799 Radabaugh Mar. 7, 1944 

